NSW Pushes Back Building Code Update to 2027, Citing Industry Transition Needs

New South Wales has announced a significant delay in adopting the updated National Construction Code (NCC 2025), pushing the implementation date to May 1, 2027. This decision aims to provide the state’s building industry with an extended period to adjust to the new requirements, ensuring a smoother transition while maintaining the delivery of essential housing.

• NSW will now adopt NCC 2025 on May 1, 2027, a two-year delay from the national timeline.
• The extension is intended to allow the construction industry more time to adapt to new provisions.
• The state plans to introduce specific variations to the NCC 2025 to align with local policies and legislation.
• These variations include flexibility for waterproofing requirements in remedial works and exemptions for common areas from new energy efficiency standards.

The National Construction Code (NCC) sets Australia’s essential building standards for health, safety, amenity, and sustainability. NCC 2025 introduces updated provisions for the commercial construction sector and key quality and safety improvements for residential buildings. While a preview version is available from May 2026 for adoption by states and territories, NSW has opted for a 12-month transition period, delaying its adoption until May 2027.

Minister for Building, Anoulack Chanthivong, stated that this extended timeframe is crucial for the industry to plan and factor changes into new projects, thereby minimising compliance risks and disruptions. The goal is to ensure that the construction sector can continue to deliver much-needed housing without significant delays or increased costs.

In addition to the delayed adoption, NSW intends to implement several variations to NCC 2025. These modifications are designed to ensure the code aligns with the NSW Government’s policy settings and existing state legislation, including technical building, plumbing, and drainage requirements.

Key variations include:

• Waterproofing Flexibility: Apartment building owners undertaking remedial works will have the option to use either the current NCC waterproofing requirements or those in NCC 2025. This is expected to help manage costs for homeowners.
• Energy Efficiency Exemption: The new energy efficiency standards in NCC 2025 will not apply to the common areas of apartment buildings.

Full details of these NSW variations will be published alongside the complete NCC 2025 documentation on May 1, 2026. This approach aims to balance the implementation of updated building standards with the practical needs and economic realities of the construction industry in New South Wales.

• NSW delays adoption of updated building code to May 2027, Architecture & Design.
• NSW to adopt new National Construction Code in May 2027, NSW Government.
• NSW and Queensland defer adoption of NCC 2025, HVAC&R News.
• NSW delays NCC 2025 adoption to 2027 to allow sector transition, Build Australia.